COVA’s Internship Program
COVA provides a paid internship in the field of crime victim services that may not otherwise be accessible to the student and nurtures a cooperative working and learning relationship between the host agency, the intern, and COVA.
Along with the contributions from host agencies, COVA provides interns with the tools to become experts and leaders in the field. Throughout the duration of their year-long internship, our program staff are available to serve as a mentor and offer additional support, training, and networking opportunities. Regular intern meetings provide additional education and support.
*internship availability is contingent on funding and spots are limited
2023 Facts
Spotlight - host agencies
19th Judicial District Attorney’s Office
A Woman’s Place
Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office Victim Response Unit
Alternative Horizons
Alternatives to Violence
Aurora Police Department Victim Services Unit
Blue Sky Bridge
COVA’s Human Trafficking Program
Denver Children’s Advocacy Center
Denver District Attorney’s Office Juvenile Unit
Haseya Advocate Program
Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Victim Response Team
Lutheran Family Services
Pueblo Children’s Advocacy Center
Regis University Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention
Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center
Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network
Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center
Rose Andom Center
Sexual Assault Services Organization
The Blue Bench
The Center for Trauma and Resilience
The Phoenix Center at Auraria
Voces Unidas for Justice
Westminster Police Department Victim Services
Student Intern Information
Fill out the application above.
- Complete an intern application (click the black “INTERN APPLICATION” button)
- Include a resume and optional cover letter.
- Agree to a release of information for a background check (included in the application).
- Have an interest in advocating for crime victims
- Commit up to 20 hours per week at a host agency
- Commit to a 9-12 month internship
- Be enrolled in an accredited college or university for the duration of the internship
- Commit to maintain confidentiality with the highest level of integrity and respect for others
- Ideally a member of a hard-to-reach/underrepresented population
Examples include, but are not limited to, communities who face barriers due to their race and/or ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, physical ability, and/or immigration status.
* Please note: service providers who identify as male, regardless of other factors, are underrepresented in Victim Services. According to the 2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 12.7 % of victim advocates identified as male.
Background checks are completed by COVA. However sometimes, the host agency may also conduct their own background check.
Criminal justice agency entities often have a more extensive process and likely follow federal criteria. While marijuana possession and use are legal under Colorado state law, possession and use is a crime under federal law. Marijuana use or possession may prevent an applicant from being accepted as an intern in a criminal justice agency.
COVA is responsible for the facilitation of the internship; therefore, students will not intern at the COVA office (with the exception of those at the COVA Human Trafficking Program). Instead, students will intern at a host agency with which we have a partnership.
Host agencies vary from systems-based to community-based and include police departments, district attorney’s offices, domestic violence shelters, children’s advocacy centers, non-profit organizations, etc.
You can find potential host agencies in our COVA Service Directory. We work with a variety of agencies across the state, please make sure you are filtering based on areas of interest and location. Please be aware that not all host agencies are currently recruiting.
Many interns identify a potential placement prior to application, which may make it easier to facilitate a placement.
Host Agency Applications
Fill out the application above.
- Complete a Host Agency application (above)
- Submit intern’s job description
- Submit agency’s equal employment opportunity statement
- Agree to a site visit with COVA staff to tour the facility and learn more about the services provided
- Serve crime victims
- Be able to host an intern for 9-12 months
- Interns must be providing victims of crime direct services in some capacity
- The intern stipend provided by COVA allows students to dedicate more hours to meet agency needs
- Interns commit to work within their host agency for 9-12 months
- COVA screens each intern candidate prior to referring them to assess the best possible match for the intern and the agency
- Interns are provided with additional trainings and mentorship
- Scholarship opportunities are available for the intern to attend the COVA Conference, Basic Victim Assistance Academy, and many other trainings
For further information regarding the Internship Program
Please contact the COVA office at 303-861-1160 or via email
Amy Stapleton, Internship Program Manager AStapleton@ColoradoCrimeVictims.org